Spring Beer and Wine Fest

Name: Spring Beer and Wine Fest
Date: Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15 from 12 p.m.-11 p.m.
Location: Oregon Convention Center
777 MLK Jr. Boulevard
Portland, OR
Contact information: www.springbeerfest.com
Cost: Free from 12-2, $5 after – glass required for beer drinkers ($6), tokens $1
What is it: The first beerfest of the warm-weather season!

Info:
It may be a little bit more expensive than others, but the Spring Beer and Wine Fest is the best way to kick off the spring/summer sampling.

Although ‘wine’ is in the title, the focus here is really on the beer, as the wines tend to be many of the same ones that you can find at every other show, expo and promotion.

The 2006 show incorportates 40 different breweries, with more than 80 different beers to taste. There are a few big names, like Anheuser-Busch, but most are micro-brews from Oregon, Washington, Montana, Alaska, California and Hawaii.

Last year, it was simply a large room with booths advertising their products and giving pours.

Samples vary, as do the costs in tokens. Food is also available.

If you’re not into beer, I’d suggest skipping this one, or tagging along with a friend during the free hours of 12-2.